Blood and Mate novel Chapter 3

"State your name, and purpose" a deep gruff voice boomed. I gulped.

"Leera Evans and I'm here for Par Odor Lux" I said in a slightly shaky voice. There was a pause, before someone cleared their throat, and the door opened.

"Hello Miss Evans, please make you way through the hall, and the lady at the end will give you your details for your stay" he smiled unemotionally, as if he was a trained robot. Smiling faintly, I walked past the buff man, and headed down the marble corridor.

There were paintings of old people dressed in formal attire, dating back to the 1800's. They all had cocky, up-tight expressions on their faces. Walking past some more doors, I came to a stop at a modern, sleek desk, with an old lady behind it. She had a kind smile, and held her hand out when I smiled back at her.

"Hello dear, you must be Leera. I'm Jacqueline" she said warmly as I shook her hand. Taking out some pieces of paper, she shuffled them neatly, and placed them in front of me.

"Now, you will be staying on the second floor, in room...14" she said, handing me a map of the building.

"These are also your details for when you depart, and when you will get you blood drawn" she stated formally, picking up the rest of the pile.

"Thanks..." I said wearily, picking up the papers.

"No problem sweetie, if you need anything don't hesitate to ask. I hope you have a nice stay here at the House of Wolves" she waved, adjusting her glasses on her nose. I sighed, and looked at the map. My room was right above where I was now so... I had to find some stairs. Looking right ahead of me, there were stairs.

At least everything is turning out for me today.

Skipping the steps by two, I heaved my suitcase over the last step, causing me to stumble a little bit. Turning around, I studied the numbers on the doors- 8, 10, 12...14! Jogging over to the door, I noticed the envelope attached to the map. Inside was a key.

Ripping it open, I shoved it into the key slot, and turned it. It opened with a click, and I picked up my suitcase, dragging it inside. The room had a double bed, with a plain red doona, and cream walls with gold trimmings. Looking outside, I realised I had a view of the forest, and right in the top left hand corner, I could just see a waterfall. Sniffing the air, I could make out the faint scent of the maids and the cleaning products they used.

Having heightened senses did pay off, I thought smugly. Looking around, there was door to my right which I guessed lead to an en-suit. Taking a look, I grinned at the colour choice, everything was black and gold, with a hint of red, here and there.

Opening my suitcase, I pulled out my clothes, and stuffed them into the dresser, not bothering to fold them.

A knock at the door startled me.

"Excuse me Miss... are you decent?" a small, feminine voice whispered.

"Ooff!" I gasped when I bumped into a body, straightening up; I looked down to see a small, fragile looking girl- with a disgust scowl on her face.

Well that just ruins her whole appearance.

"Watch where you're going, commoner!" she snarled, and stomped away, tripping slightly when she lost balance on her 5 inch stilettoes. Coughing, I tried to hold my laugh in, when she huffed, and continued down the corridor. Poor girl thought that because she had a high status, that she was better than me.

She probably was just an airhead inside, I felt sorry for her mate- he'll have to chain her down, or drug her. Still smirking, I made my way down the stairs, and into a large room that smelt like some sort of posh buffet. Sniffing the air, I smelt waffles, fruit, hot chocolate, and muffins. The room was set out like a restaurant, there were people chatting on elegantly styled tables and chairs.

"Hey, what are you doing sniffing the air? I know for sure that you haven't shifted- otherwise you wouldn't be here" a loud, curious voice, broke me out of my daydreaming.

"Well...ahhh...I sort of have very heightened senses?" I said stupidly, looking at the girl next to me- she was gorgeous, she had baby blue eyes, and straight red hair that went to her mid-back. She was small, and petite- but in a natural way. Not like the girl I had bumped into before, she looked like she starved herself.

"Whoa...that's so cool! What's it like? I've only got the average senses of a human- it sucks" she moaned, glaring at the ground slightly.

"I guess it's like you've already shifted- without the shifted a part, if that makes sense" I explained, squinting my eyes to think of a better way of explaining it- it's an old habit.